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Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)

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Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)
Part of the Libyan civil war (2014–2020) and the War against the Islamic State

The situation in June 2020
Date12 February 2015 – 26 October 2020[10]
Location
Libya, with spillovers in Egypt
Result

Ceasefire;[10]

Belligerents

 Egypt
 United Arab Emirates[1][2][3][4]
 Chad[5]
In Support of:
Tobruk Government
Supported by:
 Greece[6]

 France[7]		  ISIL[8]

Government of National Accord
 Turkey[6]
Supported by:

 Qatar[9]
Units involved

Egyptian Armed Forces

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces

Chad National Army

Military of ISIL

 Libyan Ground Forces (GNA-aligned)
Turkish Armed Forces

The Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the beginning of the Libyan civil war. The intervention started after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) released a video of the beheading of 21 Egyptians on 12 February, 2015. In response, Egypt launched airstrikes on 16 February, that same year. After that incident, Egypt became increasingly involved with Libya's internal politics.

Timeline

[edit]

2015

[edit]
See also: 2015 kidnapping and beheading of Copts in Libya and February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya

On 12 February, ISIL released a video of the group beheading Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s struck weapons caches and training camps of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya. The air strikes killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in Derna and Sirte on the coast.[15] 55 were captured in ground assaults.[16] 7 civilians were also killed by the air strike.[17]

2018

[edit]

Egypt and the UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL.[18][19] However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the Libyan National Army.[20]

2019

[edit]

On 5 April, Egypt expressed its deep concern over a campaign in Tripoli and urged all sides to avoid escalation. Egypt also announced its commitment to UN efforts to find a political solution to the Libyan Crisis, adding that a political solution is the only option.[21] On 9 April, Egypt expressed support for the Libyan National Army and its push to dismantle all remaining militias, and also cautioned against foreign intervention in the conflict.[22] On 14 April, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo[23] and announced his support for the LNA's counterterrorism efforts, stating that "the fight toward terrorism"..."allows the establishment of a stable and sovereign civil state, and will start the reconstruction of Libya in various fields."[24]

2020

[edit]

On 5 July, Egyptian warplanes hit a site where Turkey was allegedly building a military base.[25]

On 19 July, The Egyptian President made public threats to the Government of National Accord (GNA) that Egypt would deploy troops if Sirte were to be captured, which was viewed by the GNA as a declaration of war.[26] The next day, Egypt deployed an undisclosed number of troops into Libya. Many politicians and news sources say due to Turkish military intervention in Libya from earlier in 2020.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "UAE and Egypt behind bombing raids against Libyan militias, say US officials". The Guardian. 26 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Libya migrant attack: UN investigators suspect foreign jet bombed centre". BBC News. 6 November 2019.
  3. ^ "UAE drone strike on factory near Tripoli killed 8 civilians: HRW". Al Jazeera. 29 April 2020.
  4. ^ "UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya". BBC News. 27 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Chad to send 1,500 troops to Libya in support of Marshal Haftar". Atalayar. 12 June 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance". al-monitor.com. 31 May 2020.
  7. ^ "France's Macron slams Turkey's 'criminal' role in Libya". Al Jazeera. 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Egypt 'bombs IS in Libya' after beheadings video". BBC News. 16 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Abdulrahman Sewehli thanks Qatari Emir for his support". 13 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Ceasefire in Libya". U.S. Embassy in Egypt. 26 October 2020.
  11. ^ Mostafa, Mahmoud (16 February 2015). "Airstrikes hit 3 coastal Libyan cities". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  12. ^ Nader, Aya (16 February 2015). "Egypt strikes Islamic State in Libya". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  13. ^ "UN-backed Libyan forces oust renegade general from Tripoli". the Guardian. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  14. ^ Egypt's Sisi wins parliamentary approval for possible Libya intervention Reuters
  15. ^ Chris Stephen (17 February 2015). "Egyptian air strikes in Libya kill dozens of Isis militants". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Libya: Egyptian troops launch ground attack in Isis-held Derna 'capturing 55 militants'". International Business Times UK. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  17. ^ "Seven killed in Egyptian air strikes on Libyan city: Amnesty". Reuters. 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  18. ^ "UAE drone air attacks Derna in east Libya". alnabaa.tv. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Egyptian warplanes conduct airstrikes on Libya's Derna". Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya. 27 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-12-28. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  20. ^ "Video: Egyptian soldiers fighting in Derna alongside Haftar's armed groups".
  21. ^ "Egypt voices deep concern over new developments in Libya – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg.
  22. ^ "'Egypt committed to supporting Libyan national army in battle against armed militias,' parliament speaker – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  23. ^ "Libya crisis timeline: The battle for Tripoli, Sirte, and oil from November to today". 13 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Sisi stressed Egypt's support for counterterrorism efforts in Libya". Egypt Independent. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  25. ^ "Jets hit Libya's al-Watiya airbase where Turkey may build base, sources say". Reuters. July 5, 2020 – via www.reuters.com.
  26. ^ Libya's GNA call Egypt's military threat as a 'declaration of war' Al-Jazeera
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